November 19th, 2026
Thursday
INTRODUCTION
Returning to Spanish Control
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As you learned in yesterday's lessons, the Treaty of Paris of 1783 officially returned Florida to Spanish control after nearly 20 years of British rule. This began the Second Spanish Period (1783-1821), bringing new political leadership, laws, and changes to the people living throughout the territory.
Life in Florida continued to change underneath this new leadership. Spanish officials worked to reestablish their influence in the area by rebuilding communities and restoring the religion. Officials also sought to strengthen the trade within East and West Florida, and eventually to neighboring territories in the Caribbean. The authorities offered land grants and other incentives to encourage new settlers to move to Florida and help develop its economy. New Spanish settlers, European immigrants, Native Americans and Free Black communities continued to influence the social-political environment in the region.
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However, things didn't go as smoothly as compare to the First Spanish Period. The American Revolution and the establishment of the United States created challenges for Spain. As American settlers increasingly moved south and became interested in Florida's land and resources, tensions began to rise between the two powers. The United States became involved in conflicts along the Florida-Georgia border with the Patriot War of 1812 (American settlers and supporters attempt to take East Florida from Spain) and The First Seminole War
(led by General Andrew Jackson) being two of the biggest conflicts. Spanish authority would weakened during this time and made it increasingly difficult for Spain to govern Florida.
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BELL-RINGER:
Second Spanish Occupation Informational Text
As you read the article below, you will explore Florida during the Second Spanish Period. Take note how the political, social and economic environment has shifted again in the territory as the Spanish resettles. Record your information using the "Student Handout Informational Text" note-taking guides and prepare for a discussion with your shoulder partner or entire class.
Spanish Occupation, Second
TODAY'S LESSON:
Planning a New Community
Throughout history, settlements have played an important role in helping people establish communities and gain access to numerous resources. Choosing the right location was especially important because people depended on nearby water sources, fertile land, and natural resources for survival. The location of a settlement could also influence trade and defense against outside threats.
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There are two factors to take into consideration when establishing a settlement: site and situation. Site is the physical characteristics of a location. For example, mountains, plains, desert, forests, swamps, grasslands, oceans, bays, rivers, lakes, streams, springs, hot/cold/warm climate, rainy or dry. Situation is how a place is connected to its surroundings. For example, is the place located near other developed locations, is it easily accessible by land or water, offer military defense, protect from settlers from different countries, are there trade routes located nearby?
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After establishing the right site and situation, the next step is planning the layout of the settlement. This excerpt from "Exploring Florida Documents: City Planning" explains additional factors that are researched and included in preparing a city plan.
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The method of producing the plans for the growth of a city, whether in Florida or elsewhere, whether in new territory or where a settled community is confronted with the problems of rapid expansion, are practically the same.
First, a survey of local conditions is made, including the many factors which go to make up community life. This survey begins with knowledge of the historical background. It includes a study of the physical conditions as shown in the topography, resources and climate; the social conditions, expressing themselves in housing, health, education, recreation, welfare and safety; the economic conditions embodied in streets, transportation, public utilities, real estate and administration. The result of this planning survey is a comprehensive report and the production of an Existing Conditions Map showing graphically the city or region at the beginning of the city planning work.
Second comes the preparation of the Regional Plan.The Regional Plan treats the city and its surrounding zone of influence as a unit, and seeks to determine the uses to which the different parts of the area are best adapted, following which the best means of planning these related parts must be discovered.
Another important phase, in fact an integral part of city planning, is zoning. A Zone Plan shows diagrammatically the logical locations for business, industry, and different classes of residential property for the various parts of the city.
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Excerpt from Exploring Florida Documents: City Planning
Physical Map Analysis
To begin, you will analyze a physical map of England to better understand the geographical concepts of site and situation. This physical map of England demonstrates the qualities of site and situation that lend to the successful settlement of London. Find the city of London on the map below and take note of the physical characteristics (site) and the connection to the surrounding area (situation) while you complete the "Student Handout: Physical Maps Analysis" worksheet.
Relief Map of England with Metro Cities
Now after analyzing the site and situation of London, shift your attention to the two most successful settlements in Florida: St. Augustine and Pensacola. The historical maps below should be used to complete the second section on the "Student Handout: Physical Maps Analysis" worksheet.
Map of St. Augustine, 1769
Map of the harbor of Pensacola, Florida
Build a New Community
Congratulations! Now you have the knowledge and skills of city planners. Spanish settlers had to face the same important decisions about where and how to establish communities in Florida. Using the concepts of site and situation, they had to consider access to natural resources as well as transportation routes between East and West Florida. Spanish officials had to decide whether to rebuild settlements left behind during British rule or stablish new ones in locations better suited for their needs.
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Now below is the following proclamation from King Charles III of Spain given to you by the Governors of East and West Florida, Vicente de Zespedes and Arturo O'Neill respectfully.
By Order of King Charles III of Spain, you have been tasked with creating new communities and building back previous communities in La Florida. La Florida was rightfully returned to Spain and now we have to make sure that our communities will appeal to our people and prosper. Each person will receive 200 silver reales to successfully settle in La Florida. Each settler must draw a map of their new settlement, state the goals of the settlement, and provide a budget they will use to fund the building of the settlement.
Thank you,
Governor Vicente de Zespedes, Governor Arturo O'Neill
As the proclamation states, you have been issued 200 Spanish reales by the Spanish crown to build a functioning settlement. On your handout and in the table below is an example of a list of resources and materials and the cost of each. You may refer to this example as you purchase resources and materials to establish your community.
Resources and Materials | Cost of Silver Reales |
|---|---|
Timber | 40 |
Tools (axes, saws, and plows) | 20 |
Herding Animals: Cattles & Goats | 30 |
Seeds and Crops | 20 |
Fishing Gear | 20 |
Defense Materials | 20 |
Wages for Labor | 40 |
Trade Materials for Native Americans | 10 |
FEATURED ACTIVITIES
Choose Your Settlement Location
The King of Spain has tasked you with building new communities and/or building back up previous communities. Now, you must select one of the following three Florida regions:
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1) Atlantic Coast (shipping routes and Spanish forts)
2) Gulf Coast (trade routes and fishing)
3) Interior (timber and farming)
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At the same time, analyze the physical map of Florida below and identify one location where your new settlement will be built. You may choose
Pensacola or St. Augustine, but you must provide three reasons why you would remain in these established settlements.
Physical Map of Florida
Building Your Community
After choosing the location of your settlement, now you will be tasked with designing a map of your community. Your map should include a title (name of your settlement), cartographer (your name), compass rose, bodies of water, homes, farms, fishing areas, sources of fresh water, trade routes and defense structures. Remember to use the "Spanish Reales Budget Sheet" while creating your map, noting what resources and materials were purchase within your budget of 200 reales. Make sure you list the goals of your community as well. For example, farming, ship building, trading, converting Native Americans, timber, or defense.
ENRICHMENT EXERCISES
Previously on #FLGeoWeek:
